August Wilson's MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM
August Wilson’s *Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom* is set in 1920s Chicago during a tense recording session led by the trailblazing blues singer Ma Rainey. As Ma Rainey, her band, and studio executives clash over art, ownership, power, and control, the session exposes the racial exploitation embedded in the music industry and builds toward a devastating conclusion. The production features blues music, sharp comedy, and poetic insight, and is directed by Lili-Anne Brown in a co-production with Olney Theatre Center.
When: September 9–October 18, 2026.
Venue: Round House Theatre.
Tickets: Price not available. Pay-What-You-Can performances are scheduled for September 9 and September 12 at the matinee. Free Play tickets are available for students ages 13 through college.
Run time: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission.
Cast: Nicole Michelle Haskins as Ma Rainey; Yao Dogbe as Levee; Ro Boddie as Toledo; Derrick Truby as Slow Drag; Craig Wallace as Cutler; Kanysha Williams as Dussie Mae; Jaylen Henderson as Sylvester; Chris Genebach as Sturdyvant; Michael Glenn as Irvin; and Zach Brewster-Geisz as the Policeman.
Director: Lili-Anne Brown.
Accessibility performances: The audio-described performance is September 19 at the matinee. Open-captioned performances are September 20 and September 26, both at the matinee. A mask-required performance is scheduled for October 10 at the matinee.
Special events: A Black Out Night is scheduled for October 6. Post-show discussions follow the performances on September 9, September 10, and September 20. A post-show discussion with Dr. Khalid Y. Long, president of the August Wilson Society, and Otis Ramsey-Zoe takes place October 4. The designer discussion is September 9 at 6:45 p.m., and the director discussion is September 11 at 6:45 p.m. Teen Night is September 11.
Content information: The page provides a link to content advisories for the production but does not list the advisory details in the event text.
Presentation: The production is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.